died May 24, 2021. She was born March 9, 1926 in St. Paul, KS. She was preceded in death by parents Leo and Maude (Coomes) Smith; brothers Ken Smith, Joe Smith and Frank Smith; sister Alice Prawicki; first husband Joe Simon; second husband Ben Neuharth; son-in-law George Franklin; great-grandson Ethan Franklin; stepson Benny Neuharth. Survived by sons Randy (Colleen) of Argonia and Dan (Lori) of Viola; daughters Ruth O’Brien of Juno Beach, FL; Mary (Oscar) Morse of Mazatlan, Mexico; Paula (Carl) Eck of Goddard; Marcia Franklin of Sarasota, FL; Lia (Troy) Evans of Wichita; sister Lorene Van Leeuwen, St. Paul, KS; stepdaughters Belinda (John) Kasper, Wilson, KS; Barbara (Ralph) Thiergart of Ellicott City, Maryland; stepdaughter-in-law Susan Neuharth; 23 grandchildren, many great grandchildren, seven step grandchildren; several step great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She loved her Catholic faith, having been a member of Christ the King parish from its beginning. Rosary will be recited Thursday, May 27 at 7 pm and the funeral Mass will be Friday, May 28 at 10:30 am, both at Christ the King Church, 4411 W Maple. Final resting place will be at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made with Christ the King School, Bishop Carroll High School or The Lord’s Diner.
